Electric flash sign



March 1, 1932. w, GOOLEY I 1,847,647

ELECTRIC FLASH SIGN Filed Dec. 26, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l l J MW X 7/ 1 Z I INVENTOR,

, 4/ William T. 500125 v 7 Z5 i 4 M M un W 3 7 217 /I L ATTORNEYS.

March 1, 1932. w. T. GOOLEY ELECTRIC FLASH SIGN Filed Dec 26, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 1, 1932 UNITED srAT s PATENT" OFFICE WILLIAM r. VGOOLEVY, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS I ELECTRIC FLASH SIGN Application filed December 26,1929. Serial No. 416,617.

This invention relates to improvements in electrically operated and illuminated signs.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of animproved advertising or .display-sign, utilizing characters, such as letters arranged for advertising or display purposes, which are disposed in relief with opposed convergent surfaces; having associated therewith flashing lights, preferably .in diag- 0 onally disposed relation, which simultaneously illuminate the characters of the sign from opposite sides, in contrasting colors, producing a pleasing effect in which the character appears to stand in pyramidal relief to an observer. I

A further object of this invention is the provision of an advertising or display sign comprising a box-like frame wherein characters are supported with sources of light for illuminating them from the front in a pleasing melodizing color combination, with a second source of light rearwardly of the characters, alternating with the illumination of the characters at the front thereof, in illuminating the characters at their back-ground and diffusing their rays in such'relation that the characters appear in silhouette to an observer.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a display or advertising sign having the above mentioned characteristics, which has associated therewith improved means for intermittently flashingcontrasting colored lights upon an article of merchandise, or the like, to which the characters of the signpertinently apply.

Other objects and advantages of this in vention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown preferred and modified forms of the invention:

Figure l is a front elevation of the improved display device.

Figure 2 is av longitudinal sectional view taken through the sign portion of the display device, showing the relation of sources of light with respect to the letters or .characters to be illuminated.

so to speak, for

Figure 3 is a transverse: sectional view taken through the sign of Figure 2.

Figure 4: is a side elevation of a light flashing device used'to throw contrastingly colored spot lights on an article of merchandise which is being advertised.

Figure'5 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring arrangement, showing more particularly the relationship in which the sources of light are successively illuminated.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken. through a modified form of the sign, particularly well adapted for outdoor use.

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view taken through a portion of a character or letter to be displayed, showing a modified shape thereof. r v

Figure 8. is a somewhat diagrammatic view of flood'lights used to diffuse rays in silhouetting the characters of the display or advertising sign of Figure 6.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A may generally designate the improved display device which 'may include a sign portionB whereon advertising may appear, such as the mention of an article of merchandise, and the name of the establishment selling the same. In cooperation therewith an article of merchandise C pertinently mentioned in the sign B may be supported adjacent thereto, and illuminated by an improved flashing spot-light arrangement D in a contrastingly colored flashing effect.

The sign B preferably includes a' casi ng 10, consisting ofv top and bottom walls 11 and 12, end walls 13and 14, a rear walllfi, and a front marginal or border wall 17 of novel-construction, including the outer portion 18, shown best in Figure 3, bordering each of the top, bottom, and end walls, and the flaring portion 19 which extends convergently from the border portion 18 inwardly into the casing 10, providing ashield, the lamps or bulbs disposed in the compartment, to prevent the direct passage of rays of light therefrom to an observer looking into the opening defined by the flaring portion 19, upon the characters"3" or designs supported upon a member 20, mounted within the casing 10 and facing the opening 21 defined by said flaring border portion 19.

The member 20 may be termed a screen, and it is disposed in the casing 10 spaced between the front and rear walls thereof, and subdividing the easing into a front compartment 25 and a rear compartment 26. The screen 20 includes a frame 28' to which the body 29, is attached. The body 29 may be translucent, of ground glass, fabric, paper, or it may be of wire mesh. In the example shown it consists of wire mesh mounted on the frame 28 andcovered with translucent fabric. It extends entirely longitudinally throughout the height of the "compartment in the casing 10 and completely subdivides the easing into the compartinents 25 and 26 which are non-communicating. I

' On the front of the screen, facing the opening 21 are mounted the characters which are to be displayed, In the example shown drawings, and in screen body 29 to the peak thereof. The

sides may be beveled with plane surfaces, in pyramidal form,

as shown in Figure 2 of the this connection the ends of the bar portions of the letters may also be beveled. The cross section may have gener- 4o ally the convergent opposite sides, but convexly or concavely arcuated lnrelief, such, for -example,*as shown in Figure 7 where the opposite sides areconvexly arcuated to p the peak.

Lamp sets 35,36, 37, and 38 are disposed in the lower and upper corners of the compartment 25 in front of the screen 20-rearwardly of the bordering front wall 17 and secreted from the observer thereby. Each set includes a pair of lamps 40 and 41. The lower and upper sets 35 and 37 in diagonally opposed corners of the compartment 25 are adapted to be illuminated at the same time for casting their rays of light upon opposite sides of the letters 30, due to the latter.- cally the peculiar cross section of The-lamps are, of course, electrioperated, and the bulbs of the set 35 are colored contrastingly with the color of the bulbs of the set 37 so that opposite sides of each character or letter 30 are differently colored, preferably in a harmonious relation,

" and along the apex of the character or letter, particularly in the case of a rounded, blunt, .or convex cross section, such as with the letter having a cross section as shown 1n Figure 7, the colors blend to produce another color. The sets of lamps and 37 while illuminated simultaneously, alternate in their flashing with the other diagonally opposed sets of lamps 36 and 38; the latter being relatively contrastingly colored, and differently colored from the sets '35 and 37, to likewise produce the pleasing effect-of illuminating opposite sides of the letters or characters 30. As shown, the lamps of the set 38 are red and will cast a red ray. The bulbs of the set 36 are colored blue and will cast a blue ray.

When simultaneously illuminated they throw the letters 30;intorelief with their colored rays impinging on the facing sides thereof, and at the apices of the characters 30 the colors blend to provide the secondary color purple. Similarly, the sets 35 and 37 have bulbs therein respectively adapted to cast green and orange'rays, with which the letters or characters 30 will be illuminated on respective facing sides, and along the meeting line of opposed convergent sides of the character, the colors will blend to produce the tertiary color citrine. plated that the diagonally opposed sets of amps may be arranged with other contrast ing colors than'those mentioned. For instance, blue and yellow purple and green, etc.

In Figure 7 is shown a character 30*, having a convex exposed surface, the arrow designating'raysof a lamp of one color, and at the opposite side the arrow 46 designates rays from a lamp of a contrasting or other color, and at the peak of the section the ar- 25 may be provided or arranged, but itis preferred that only a pair of the bulbs LO-and 4L1 be provided for each set, of the elongated type, ina relativeright angled relation extending along the adjacent walls. The bulbs of the sets in the compartment 25 are, positioned so as to be entirely hidden from an observer, andthus preventing direct rays from passing through .the opening 21.

In the rear compartment 26 there are positioned lower and upper lamps 50 and 51 respectively, which may be arranged in sets if desired, but which are contrastingly colored for emitting contrastingly colored rays in the compartment. The lamps 50 and 51 are arranged, as will be subsequently mentioned, to flash alternately, so that the rays therefrom striking upon the translucent scren 20 will throw the characters 30, which are preferably opaque, into silhouette to an observer looking through the opening 21. It should be mentioned that the lamps 50 and 51 come into play only after the sets of lamps 35 to 38 inclusive have been in operation,

Of course, it is contem-' lIZI and. while the latter are inoperative.- The compartment 26 mayalso'house the mechanism E which controls. the operationof the I more bulbs 62 may be. positioned, adapted to emit ordinary rays or colored rays, as desired; the casing 60 having a translucent or transparent lens 65 facing forwardly, upon which be delineated a slogan, or the name of a manufacturer or theiname of a dealer pertinent to the characters displayed on'the screen 20. The bulb lamps 62 are illuminated at a period intermittent with the flashing of the sets of bulbs heretofore mentioned.

In the example shown the article of me-r chand'ise G is a hat supported upona suitable pedestal or stand, 66, and pertinently described by the word Hat on the sign screen 20'.

The device D forintermittently flashing contrasting:spot-lights upon the hatO con-- sistsof a disc or member 67 having a central shaft 68 bearin at 69 in suitable bearings mounted upon an adjustable reflector 7 0 wherein a lamp bulb is housed; the reflector 70 being mounted in an adjustable relation at 71 upon. a bracket 72. The disc member 67 has a plurality of openings78, 74, 75, etc. therein, wherein translucent colored lenses 75-are positioned, which are relatively contrastingly colored, as shown in Figure 1. The opening in the reflector 7 0 housing the bulb 92 (Figure 5) thru which rays are directed to the disc 67:, is in position to have the lenses 7 5 align therewith duringrotation of. the disc 67. The disc 67 and the bulb in the reflector 7 O are'in position to cast rays of light, with a spot-light effect, upon the article of merchandise C.

The disc 67 is rotated at a desired speed by means of. a motor 75 which has a shaft 76 provided with a friction pinion 77 bearing on. a peripheral margin of the disc 67, as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. The motor 7 5 is preferably adjustably mounted at 78 upon a wall bracket 79. The motor 75 is electrically operated; the wires ofwhich are within a cable 80 leading to a detachable plug-in socket, connected in circuit with the wiring for the lamps of the signB, and operated by the controller mechanism E, ina relation to be subsequently described in de tailing the wiring diagram of Figure 5.

Referring to Figure: 5, thesame comprises a. circuit80 wherein a generator or source of current 81 is interposed. The lamps above described are operativelyconnected in this circuit 80 and are. controlled by means of'a movableswitch device, which may be 013cm ventional construction, such as the ordinary rotatable cylinder type of circuit maker and breaker. The cylinder 91 (shown in dotted. lines) is driven by a motor 92, the latter being connected in the circuit 80. As shown in Figure 5, the lamps 62 are disposed in the circuit 80, and are intermittently flashed by means of the circuit maker and breaker device of the means E consisting of a fixed contact 82 and a plurality of relatively insulated spaced contacts 84 carried by the cylinder 91 which successively operate over the contact 82; the contacts 84 of course being in thecircuit. 80 and operating over the contact82 to intermittently flash the lamps 62 for illuminating the compartment 61 and throwing into silhouette the characters on the lens65 thereof. The lamps of the sets 36 and 38 are disposed in the circuit 80, which are controlled by a switchconsisting of a stationary contact 85 and a movable contact 86 carried by cylinder 91*, which periodically operates over the contact 85 for simultaneously closing the circuit through the sets 36 and 38 and illuminating the characters 30 upon the screen from opposed diagonal corners in the compartment 25, as will be apparent. Similarly the sets 85 and 37 are arranged in the circuit 80 and controlled by a switch consisting of a stationary contact 87 and a movable contact 88, carried by cylinder 91 which is so related to the contact 87 that the same comes into engagement with the contact 87 succeeding the closing of the switch which operates the mts 36 and 38-, so that the sets of lamps 35 and 37 are thrown simultaneously into operation only succeeding the operation of the sets 36 and 38, and when the latter are inoperative. This may be gained from the relative positioning of contacts of the two switches controlling said sets 35 to 38 inclusive, as shown in Figure-5. The motor 75 is operatively shunted in the circuit 80 and controlled by a switch consisting of a stationary contact 90 and a movable contact 91 carriedby cylinder 91 which opcrates over the contact 90 at a time immediately succeeding the illumination of the sets of lamps 35 and 37 and just after said sets of lamps have been rendered inoperative. Setting the motor 75 into operation causes the disc. 67 to revolve. Immediately thereafter the bulb 92, shown in Figure 5, as disposed in the reflector 70 shown in Figure 4:, is illuminated by the riding of the cylinder carried contact 93 into engagement with a stationary contact 95; said contacts 93 and 94 comprising a switch controlling the direction of current through the circuit 80 into the lamp bulb 92. It will be noted from Figure 5 that there is an overlap of the contacts 91 and 93, so that the circuit through the lamp 92 is closed at. the same time that the circuit through the motor 7 5 is closed, for directing rays of light through the various. openings 73, 74, 7 5*, etc. as the latter align with the opening through the reflector 70, and casting difierently colored spot-lights upon the article of merchandise 0. Immediately succeeding the opening of the switch through the lamp 92 by reason of riding of the contact 93 out of engagement with the contact/9%, the lamp 50 inv the compartment 26 of the display device-is illuminated. This lamp 50 is in the circuit 80 and controlled by a switch comprising a" stationary contact 97 and a movable contact 98 carried by cylinder 91 which rides against the contact 97 as described, succeeding the operation of illuminating the lamp Thereafter, the

other and diflerently colored lamp 51 in the compartment 26 of the display device is illuminated. It is in the circuit 80' and controlled by means of a switch consisting of a stationary contact 100 and a movable contact 101 carried by cylinder 91, the latter riding into engagement with the contact 100 immediately after the contact 98 of the switch device of the lamp 50 has moved out of engagement with its companion switch contact 97, so that the lamps 50 and 51 illuminate alternately to direct differently colored rays of light in a diffused relation. through the translucent screen 20, for the purpose described. It will be well understood by those skilled in this art that the contacts 8 1, 86, 88, 91, 93, 98, and 101, in the relation shown in Figure 5, are mounted upon the cylinder 91, or a movable member which receives current through the circuit 80 and when engaging with their respective contacts 82, 85, 87, 90, 9%, 97, and 190 will close the circuit 80 for setting into operation the various features described. The member on which the movable contacts are mounted may be a slidable plate, a cylinder as shown, or. any of the well known eXpedients.

Some features of the above described form of invention do not adapt themselves to outdoor'advertising or display device use. For outdoor display or advertising purposes, the device of Figure 6 may be used, which consists of a housing 110 including a' top wall 111, bottom wall 112, rear wall 113, end walls 114, and a front marginal or border wall 115 of the character of the wall 17 above described, having an inwardly divergent flared entrance 117 with an opening 118 through which an observer looks upon suitable display characters mounted upon a screen or support 119 which is in the casing 110 and subdivides the same into a front compartment 120 and a rear compartment 121 for the same purpose above described in setting forth the preferred embodiment of the invention. The roof structure 111 may com-- prise oppositely sloping parts, to shed water and the like. The screen 119 in the outdoor display device shown in Figure 6, is preferably of wire mesh material, since it is impractical to use fabric or glass for'such a screen. Thereon are supported characters 125 of the same nature and construction as the characters 30 above described for the form of invention A, In the corners of the compartment 120. are disposed sets of lamps which are illuminated in the same relation as the sets of lamps 35 to 38 inclusive, for the areferred form of invention.

The arrangement for silhouetting the let ters or characters 125 for the form of invention ofFigure 6 is somewhat different than that above described, and comprises upper and lower sets 130 and 131, of flood-lights, which as shown in Figure 8, are preferably arranged in rows'along the top and bottom of the compartment 114. The lamps of the sets 130 and 131 are contrastingly colored, that is, the lamps of set 130 may be blue, and the lamps of set 131 may be red, for casting like colored rays. They are illuminated alternately, and not simultaneously, although if desired, they may be illuminated simul-' taneously. Each of these sets, as shown in Figure 8, comprises a series of reflectors 135, mounted upon a supporting rod 136 carried by standards 137, preferably in an adjustable relation. The reflectors 135 house the bulbs 139 therein, and the reflectors are turned to cast the rays of light towards the rear wall 113. Against the inside surface of this rear wall 113 is disposed a reflector 140, of a corrugated formation, in which the corrugations run horizontally; the sides 141 of the corrugations facing in parallel planes for receiving the rays from the lamps of the set 131, and the angularly disposed sides 1 12 of'the corrugations facing the reflectors of the set 130 for receiving its rays oflight thereagainst. Thus, no direct rays are cast from the lamps in the compartment 114 thru the screen 119. Rather, the reflector 1 10 diffuses the rays and disposes the characters 125 in silhouette to an observer. WVith the sets of bulbs 130 and 131 alternately illuminated, a spaced striped reflected appearance is givenas a bacloground to the observer, against which the characters 125 are silhouetted. If the bulbs of both sets 130 and 131 are simultaneously ignited, an alternately colored striped effect is given off by the reiiector 140, as is apparent.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be made to the forms of invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A sign composed of characters in relief having convergently arranged sides, a lamp arrangement at one side of the characters disposed so that the rays of light therefrom will project against the facing sides of the characters, lamp means at the opposite sides of the characters disposed so that the light rays therefrom will project against the other facing sides of said characters, means for simultaneously illuminating both of said lamp means, one of said lamp means being arranged to cast rays of a color contrasting with the color of the rays cast by the other lamp means whereby the opposite sides of each of said characters will be simultaneously illuminated with different colors, said characters at the meeting of said sides being bluntly formed so that the contrasting rays from said lamp means will blend at said blunt edge into a resultant color in producing a pyramidal effect of said characters.

2. A sign composed of characters having the sides thereof convergently arranged in relief, contrastingly colored lamps arranged diagonally at diametrically opposite sides of said characters positioned so that one of said lamps casts its rays of light diagonally only on the facing sides of saidcharacters and the other of said lamps casts its rays of light diagonally on the other sides of said characters, both of said lamps being arranged in a plane forwardly of said characters, other contrastingly colored lamps arranged in diagonal diametrically opposed relation with respect to said characters for casting rays of light diagonally on opposite sides of said characters from a plane forwardly of the characters and in intersecting angular relation with the line of rays of light from the first mentioned lamps, and means for intermittently flashing the first mentioned diametrically opposed lamps with respect to the second mentioned diametrically opposed lamps.

3. In a device of the class described a casing having an observers opening therein, means on the casing supporting characters visible thru the observers opening, a reflector back-ground in the casing rearwardly of said characters presenting adjacently acutely inclined reflecting surfaces with a corrugated efiect, means for casting colored rays of light upon the reflecting surfaces facing in one direction, and means for directing colored rays of light upon the reflecting surfaces facing in another direction, the reflector being positioned so that the rays of light will be refiected therefrom for placing the characters in silhouette to one looking through the observers opening.

4. In a sign the combination of a casin having characters supported therein in relie the characters in cross section being shaped so that opposite sides thereof are convergent forwardly, lamps at opposite sides of said characters arranged in the casing forwardly of the characters for transmission of incident rays to only the sides of the characters immediately facing the respective lamps, the casing being formed to provide an observers opening through which the characters are Visible forwardly of the casing and preventing the transmission of the direct rays there- 7 tioned lamps at predetermined periodicity alternating with the illuminating of said first mentioned lamps.

5. In a sign of the class described a casing having an observers opening therein, a translucent screen supportedin the casing having characters in relief thereonfacing said opening and visible to an observerlooking'into the opening, the characters in cross section havingconvergent' sides, contrastingly colcred illuminatingmeans in the casing forward-1y the sides of the characters respectivelyfacing the same, said illuminating means being invisible through the observers opening,illuminating means in the casing rearwardly of the characters for placing said characters in silhouette :to an observer looking through said opening; and means for alternately illuminating the last mentioned-illuminating means with respect to the first-mentioned illuminating means forwardly of the characters.

6. Ina sign of the class described a casing havingan observers opening therein,a screen supported in the casing having characters in relief thereonfacing said'opening'and visible to an observer looking into the opening, the characters in cross section having-convergent sides, contrastingly colored illuminating means in the casing forwardly of the characters at opposite sides thereof for casting difierentncolored rays on the sides of the characters respectively facing the same, said [illuminating means being invisible through :the observersopening, illuminating means in the casing rearwardly of the characters for placing said characters in'silhouette to an observer looking through said opening, means for alternately illuminating the last mentioned illuminating means with respect to the first mentioned illuminating means forwardly of the characters, an article to which the characters of the sign are pertinent, spot-light means arranged to cast rays of light therefrom on said article, and means operatively associated with the above mentioned illuminating means for setting the spot-light means into operative illumination at periods alternating with the illumination of said first mentioned illuminating means.

of the charactersatopposite :sides thereof for casting different colored rays on 7. In a display device the combination of i a casing'having an observers opening there- 5 m, a screen supported in the casing subdividing the easing into forward and rearward compartments, characters mounted .in relief upon the screen forwardly thereof, differently colored illuminating means mounted in the casing at opposite sides of the characters and forwardly ofthe screen for casting their differently colored rays upon opposite sides of the characters in a relation visible through the opening, means to simultaneously oper' ate said illuminating means, means in the compartment. rearwardly of the screen for illuminating the characters in silhouette to an observers looking through said opening, in

an alternate relation with the illumination of the first mentioned illuminating means, a sec- 0nd set of the characters pertinent to the first mentionedset of characters, and means for intermittentlyilluminating the second set of compartment rearwardly of the screen for illuminating the characters in silhouette to an 8. In. a display device the combinationof I acasing having an observers opening therein,

a screen supported in the casing subdividing V the easing into forward and rearward compartments, characters mounted in relief upon the screen forwardly thereof, difierently colored illuminating means mounted in the casing at oppositesides of the characters and forwardly of the screen for casting their differently colored rays upon opposite sides of the characters in a relation. visible through the opening, means to simultaneously operate said illuminating means, means in the compartment rearwardly of the screen for illuminating the characters in silhouette to an observer looking through said opening, in an alternate relation with the illumination of the first mentioned illuminating means, a

second set of characters pertinent to the first 'mentioned set ofcharacters, means for intermittently illuminating the second set of-characters inan alternate relation with illumination of the first mentioned characters,means for supporting an article pertinent to the first mentioned set'of characters adjacent to said casing, spot light means for directing flashing rays of light upon said article, and means placing the spot light means in operating circuit with said illuminating means above mentioned in an intermittent and alternate flashing relation therewith.

- WILLIAM T. GOOLEY; 

